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It is well known that High Impact Polystyrene does
not match ABS in gloss at equivalent impact strength. ABS, therefore
scores over High Impact Polystyrene and finds usage in those applicational
sectors where both gloss and impact are key requirements. Continued
and long research & development at many polystyrene producers
has not yet yielded a superior High Impact Polystyrene.
One of the leading Polystyrene manufacturers, Nova Chemicals, has
recently commercialized a new advanced styrenic polymer called FX550
that the company claims will offer high impact as well as high gloss,
expected to meet the requirements of appliance markets. This grade
has easy flow characteristics and is therefore processable to make
large moulded products such as refrigerator shelves or vacuum cleaner
housings.
High gloss, superior toughness, good scuff resistance as well as
good ESCR are typical characteristics of this new family high impact
Polystyrene grade series. The increasing acceptance of these grades
could help polystyrenes to penetrate into the markets of ABS.
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